Container

ABSTRACT

An embodiment of a container is provided. The container includes a lower portion including a sidewall extending from a first end to a second end and an end wall closing the second end of the sidewall. The sidewall includes first and second sides spaced apart and each extending between third and fourth sides. The sidewall includes a first corner portion located between the first and fourth sides. The first corner portion extends from a first junction to a second junction. The first side curves outwardly from the first junction. The first corner portion curves outwardly from the first junction. The first junction extends non-parallel to a central vertical axis of the sidewall. The container includes an upper portion pivotally coupled to the lower portion. The upper portion includes a cover defining a dispensing aperture and a lid configured to close the dispensing aperture.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Field of the Invention

The present invention relates generally to containers and morespecifically containers with features configured for stacking ofcontainers.

Various products, e.g., wipes, facial tissues, etc., are transported topoints of sale and sold to consumers in containers, e.g., plasticcontainers. In many cases, the containers may not be formed at the samelocation as the location at which the product to be stored is formed.Therefore, containers may be transported from the locations at whichthey are formed to the location at which the product to be stored isformed to allow the containers to be filled with the product.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

One embodiment of the invention relates to a container. The containerincludes a lower portion including a sidewall extending from a first endto a second end and an end wall closing the second end of the sidewall.The sidewall includes first and second sides spaced apart and eachextending between third and fourth sides. The sidewall includes a firstcorner portion located between the first and fourth sides. The firstcorner portion extends from a first junction to a second junction. Thefirst side curves outwardly from the first junction. The first cornerportion curves outwardly from the first junction. The first junctionextends non-parallel to a central vertical axis of the sidewall. Thecontainer includes an upper portion pivotally coupled to the lowerportion. The upper portion includes a cover defining a dispensingaperture and a lid pivotally coupled to the cover configured to closethe dispensing aperture when the lid is in a closed configurationrelative to the cover.

Another embodiment of the invention relates to a stack of containers.The stack includes a first container. The first container includes alower portion and an upper portion pivotally coupled to the lowerportion. The lower portion includes a sidewall extending from an upperperiphery to a second end and an end wall closing the second end of thesidewall. The sidewall includes first, second, third, and fourth cornerportions. The first container includes a first rib extending inwardlyfrom the first corner portion, a second rib extending inwardly from thesecond corner portion, a third rib extending inwardly from the thirdcorner portion, and a fourth rib extending inwardly from the fourthcorner. The stack of containers includes a second container. The secondcontainer includes a lower portion and an upper portion pivotallycoupled to the lower portion. The lower portion includes a sidewallextending from a first end to a second end and an end wall closing thesecond end of the sidewall. The end wall of the second container issupported by the ribs of the first container. The sidewall of the firstcontainer and the sidewall of the second container define a gaptherebetween between the first and second corner portions at the upperperiphery of the sidewall of the first container.

Another embodiment of the invention relates to a container. Thecontainer includes a lower portion including a sidewall extending from afirst end to a second end and an end wall closing the second end of thesidewall. The lower portion includes a plurality of ribs each extendinginwardly from the sidewall. The ribs each include a lower portion and anupper portion. The upper portion has an inner peripheral edge includinga concave portion extending away from the lower portion. The containerincludes an upper portion pivotally coupled to the lower portion. Theupper portion includes a cover portion defining a central aperture and alid pivotally coupled to the cover portion.

Alternative exemplary embodiments relate to other features andcombinations of features as may be generally recited in the claims.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

This application will become more fully understood from the followingdetailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanyingfigures, wherein like reference numerals refer to like elements inwhich:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a container according to an exemplaryembodiment.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a container in an open configurationaccording to an exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 3 is perspective view of a lower portion of a container accordingto an exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 4 is perspective view of a lower portion of a container accordingto an exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 5 is perspective view of a lower portion of a container accordingto an exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of a lower portion of a containeraccording to an exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a bottom view of a container in an open configurationaccording to an exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a right side view of a container in a closed configurationaccording to an exemplary embodiment, the left side view being a mirrorimage thereof.

FIG. 9 is a bottom view of a lower portion of a container according toan exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 10 is a front view of a container in a closed configurationaccording to an exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a stack of containers according to anexemplary embodiment.

FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line 12-12 in FIG. 11.

FIG. 13 is an exploded view of a container according to an exemplaryembodiment.

FIG. 14 is a perspective view of a container with a lid in an openconfiguration according to an exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 15 is an angled side view of a container according to an exemplaryembodiment.

FIG. 16 is a rear view of a container according to an exemplaryembodiment.

FIG. 17 is a bottom perspective view of a container according to anexemplary embodiment.

FIG. 18 is a bottom view of a container according to an exemplaryembodiment.

FIG. 19 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line 19-19 in FIG. 18.

FIG. 20 is a plan view of a lower portion of a container according to anexemplary embodiment.

FIG. 20A is a detail view of the area 20A in FIG. 20.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS

Before turning to the figures, in one embodiment, containers such asplastic containers are formed to contain or store products such as,e.g., wipes, for example wet wipes, facial tissues, etc. The containersmay be formed at a first location. The product to be stored may beformed at a second location different from the first location. Thecontainers are shipped away from the first location to a fillinglocation, in one embodiment, the second location, at which they arefilled with the product to be stored. When the containers are shipped tothe filling location, the containers may be stacked for shipping, forexample stacked in an open configuration, to provide reduced space usageand ability to ship more containers per unit volume compared to shippingthe containers in an unstacked configuration. However, during shipping,the containers may remain in a stacked configuration for extendedperiods of time, e.g., six weeks, and may encounter adverseenvironmental conditions, e.g., high heat, high humidity, etc.Additionally, some containers, for example, containers in the lowerportions of the stack are subjected to the weight and pressure ofcontainers above them, which may cause the sidewalls of containers todeform. It may be disadvantageous to have a container with a deformedsidewall that, upon unstacking and filling, may be unsuitable, e.g., thelid of the container may not fit, seal with, close to, etc., thedeformed sidewall, and the container may be discarded, e.g., it may beexpensive to make and ship containers that are discarded before fillingwith product and sale.

Additionally, in one embodiment, containers are unstacked, such as, forexample, by an automated process and machinery, once they reach thefilling location. Containers that are difficult to remove from thestacked configuration may be disadvantageous. For example, in oneembodiment, containers are unstacked in an automated process, e.g., by amachine-moveable suction mechanism. Containers that stick together inthe stack may cause the unstacking or filling processes to beinterrupted, which may be undesirable.

Referring generally to the figures, various exemplary embodiments of acontainer 20 are illustrated. Generally, the shape and configuration ofcontainers 20 may be configured to maintain the shape of their sidewallsduring transport, e.g., while in a stacked configuration. Additionally,the shape and configuration of containers 20 may be configured toprovide for ease of unstacking containers, e.g., the containers mayeasily be removed from one another to allow for unstacking thecontainers after shipping.

With reference to FIG. 1, in one embodiment, a container 20 includes alower portion 22 and an upper portion 24 pivotally coupled to the lowerportion 22. The lower portion 22 is shaped and/or configured and/ordimensioned to tend to distribute weight and/or load from othercontainers stacked on and/or in the container 20 to the corners of thelower portion 22 to deter deflection and/or deformation of the lowerportion 22 of the container 20. The upper portion 24 is configured to bepivoted relative to the lower portion 22 between a closed configuration,as shown in FIG. 1, and an open configuration, as shown in FIG. 2.

With reference to FIG. 2, in one embodiment, the lower portion 22includes a sidewall 26 extending from a first open end 28 to a secondend 30 closed by an end wall 32. The lower portion 22 defines aninterior compartment 34 into which product is located and in which lowerportions of other containers are configured in a stacking configuration.

With further reference to FIG. 2, in one embodiment, the sidewall 26includes a first side 36 and a second side 38 opposite the first side36. The first and second sides 36 and 38 are spaced apart and eachextend between a third side 40 proximate the upper portion 24 when theupper portion 24 is in an open configuration and a fourth side 42opposite the third side 40. The first and second sides 36 and 38 areeach generally shorter than the third and fourth sides 40 and 42.Extending between the first side 36 and the fourth side 42 of thesidewall 26 is a first corner portion 44. Extending between the firstside 36 and the third side 40 is a second corner portion 46. Extendingbetween the third side 40 and the second side 38 is a third cornerportion 48. Extending between the second side 38 and the fourth side 42is a fourth corner portion 50.

With reference to FIGS. 2 and 3, in one embodiment, the sidewall 26includes ribs 52, 54, and 56 extending inwardly into the interiorcompartment 34. The first rib 52 extends inwardly from the second cornerportion 46. The second rib 54 extends inwardly from the first side 36between the first corner portion 44 and the second corner portion 46.The third rib 56 extends inwardly from the first corner portion 44.

With reference to FIGS. 4 and 5, in one embodiment, the sidewall 26includes ribs 58, 60, and 62 extending inwardly into the interiorcompartment 34. The fourth rib 58 extends inwardly from the third cornerportion 48. The fifth rib 60 extends inwardly from the second side 38between the third corner portion 48 and the fourth corner portion 50.The sixth rib 62 extends inwardly from the fourth corner portion 50.

With reference to FIG. 6, the second rib 54 is further described. In oneembodiment, the other ribs 52, 56, 58, 60, and 62 are shaped and/orconfigured and/or dimensioned similarly to the second rib 54. The innerperipheral edge of the rib 54 includes a lower portion 64 that extendsgenerally vertically away from the end wall 32 to a junction 66. Theinner peripheral edge of the rib 54 includes a concave portion 68extending away from the junction 66 upwardly and toward the first side36 of the sidewall 26 to a convex portion 70 which tapers upwardly andoutwardly toward the first side 36. As is illustrated in FIG. 6, thefirst side 36 of the sidewall 26 curves inwardly in a direction towardthe end wall 32. The rib 54 has a narrow upper portion and a wider lowerportion below the junction that that tapers narrower toward the end wall32 with the curve of the sidewall 26.

With reference to FIGS. 7-9, the shape of one embodiment of the sidewall26 is further described. The sidewall 26 includes a first junction 72between the fourth corner portion 50 and the second side 38. Thesidewall 26 also includes a second junction 74 between the third cornerportion 48 and the second side 38. The second side 38 has a curvedshape, e.g., continuously curved shape, curving outwardly in a directionfrom the end wall 32 toward the first open end 28 of the sidewall 26.Additionally, the second side 38 curves outwardly from the firstjunction 72 to a midline 76 between the first junction 72 and the secondjunction 74 and back inwardly from the midline 76 to the second junction74. The fourth corner portion 50 also curves outwardly moving away fromthe first junction 72. Thus, the outer surface of the sidewall 26extends to an innermost, e.g., locally innermost, location at the firstjunction 72, the first junction 72 being located farther inwardly thanthe portions of the second side 38 and the fourth corner portion 50located on either side of the first junction 72. The first junction 72extends in a direction from the end wall 32 toward the first open end 28of the sidewall 26 non-parallel to vertical, e.g., a central verticalaxis of the sidewall 26, toward the fourth side 42. The configuration ofthe first junction 72, the fourth corner portion 50, and the second side38 may provide for ease of removing the container 20 from othercontainers in a stacked configuration, as will be further discussedbelow.

With further reference to FIGS. 7-9, in one embodiment, the second side38 curves inwardly from the midline 76 to the second junction 74. Thethird corner portion 48 curves outwardly moving away from the secondjunction 74. Thus the outer surface of the sidewall 26 extends to aninnermost, e.g., locally innermost, location at the second junction 74(in one embodiment, the sidewall 26 is located at the same inwardlocation at the first junction 72 and the second junction 74) the secondjunction 74 being located farther inwardly than the portions of thesecond side 38 and the third corner portion 48 located on either side ofthe second junction 74. The second junction 74 extends in a directionfrom the end wall 32 toward the first open end 28 of the sidewall 26non-parallel to vertical toward the third side 40. The configuration ofthe second junction 74, the third corner portion 48, and the second side38 may provide for ease of removing the container 20 from othercontainers in a stacked configuration, as will be further discussedbelow.

With further reference to FIGS. 7-9, in one embodiment, the first side36 is shaped and/or configured and/or dimensioned configured as a mirrorimage to the second side 38.

Additionally, with reference to FIGS. 7, 9, and 10, in one embodiment,the sidewall 26 includes a third junction 78 between the fourth cornerportion 50 and the fourth side 42. The sidewall 26 also includes afourth junction 80 between the first corner portion 44 and the fourthside 42. The fourth side 42 has a curved shape curving outwardly in adirection from the end wall 32 toward the first open end 28 of thesidewall 26. Additionally, the fourth side 42 curves outwardly from thethird junction 78 to a midline 82 between the third junction 78 and thefourth junction 80 and back inwardly from the midline 82 to the fourthjunction 80. The fourth corner portion 50 also curves outwardly movingaway from the third junction 78. Thus, the outer surface of the fourthside 42 extends to an innermost, e.g., locally innermost, location atthe third junction 78, the third junction 78 being located fartherinwardly than the portions of the fourth side 42 and the fourth cornerportion 50 located on either side of the third junction 78. The thirdjunction 78 extends in a direction from the end wall 32 toward the firstopen end 28 of the sidewall 26 non-parallel to vertical toward thesecond side 38. The configuration of the third junction 78, the fourthcorner portion 50, and the fourth side 42 may provide for ease ofremoving the container 20 from other containers in a stackedconfiguration, as will be further discussed below.

With further reference to FIGS. 7, 9, and 10, in one embodiment, thefourth side 42 curves inwardly from the midline 82 to the fourthjunction 80. The first corner portion 44 curves outwardly moving awayfrom the fourth junction 80. Thus, the outer surface of the fourth side42 extends to an innermost, e.g., locally innermost, location at thefourth junction 80 (in one embodiment, the sidewall 26 is located at thesame inward location at the third junction 78 and the fourth junction80) the fourth junction 80 being located farther inwardly than theportions of the fourth side 42 and the first corner portion 44 locatedon either side of the fourth junction 80. The fourth junction 80 extendsin a direction from the end wall 32 toward the first open end 28 of thesidewall 26 non-parallel to vertical toward the first side 36. Theconfiguration of the fourth junction 80, the first corner portion 44,and the fourth side 42 may provide for ease of removing the container 20from other containers in a stacked configuration, as will be furtherdiscussed below.

With further reference to FIG. 7, in one embodiment, the third side 40is shaped and/or configured and/or dimensioned as a mirror image to thefourth side 42. The end wall 32 includes bulging rounded corners 33proximate each of the corner portions 44, 46, 48, 50 of the sidewall 26.The corners 33 each have a radius of curvature R1. In one embodiment,the corner portions 44, 46, 48, and 50 have radii of curvature similarto the radius of curvature R1, however, the corner portions 44, 46, 48,and 50 taper in an upward direction, e.g., the corner portion 50 boundedby the junctions 72 and 78 tapers in an upward direction away from theend wall 32.

With reference to FIGS. 11 and 12, an embodiment of a stack of generallyidentically shaped and/or configured and/or dimensioned containers 20,20′, and 20″ is illustrated. The end wall 32′ and sidewall 26′ of acontainer 20′ are supported on the concave portion of the ribs 52, 54,56, 58, 60, and 62. The ribs 52, 54, 56, 58, 60, and 62 the sidewall 26′are shaped and/or configured and/or dimensioned such that there are gaps84 between the upper periphery of the open end 28 of the sidewall 26 andthe sidewall 26′ proximate each of the junctions. The gaps 84 areconfigured to allow removal of the container 20′ from the stackedconfiguration with container 20 to an unstacked configuration, e.g., avacuum condition is prevented from being formed between the end wall 32′and the end wall 32, e.g., air is allowed to flow through the gapbetween the sidewalls 26 and 26′ to the end wall 22, which vacuumcondition could deter removal of the container 20′ from the stackedconfiguration with the container 20 as might occur if there were no gaps84 between the sidewalls 26 and 26′. As is illustrated in FIG. 12, inone embodiment, the end walls 32, 32′, and 32″ are bowed upwardly towardthe center, which may provide increased strength and resilience anddeter deformation. Additionally, as the sidewalls 26′ and 26 are incontact over less than 100% of the perimeter of the sidewall 26,friction, e.g., friction force, coefficient of friction, etc., betweenthe sidewall 26′ and the sidewall 26 is less than between sidewalls thatare in contact around 100% of their perimeter, which may allow foreasier removal of the container 20′ from the stacked configuration withcontainer 20.

With reference to FIG. 13, an embodiment of a container 20 isillustrated in an exploded configuration. The upper portion 24 includesa cover 86 configured to be pivotally, hingedly coupled to the lowerportion 22. The cover 86 includes a latch 88 configured to couple with aprojection 90 of the lower portion 22 to couple the cover 86 in a closedconfiguration with the lower portion 22. The cover 86 defines a centraldispensing aperture 89 through which the contents of the container 20may be withdrawn.

With further reference to FIG. 13, in one embodiment, the upper portion24 also includes a flexible portion 92. In one embodiment, the flexibleportion 92 is formed from thermoplastic elastomer (TPE). In otherembodiments, other suitable materials may be used. The flexible portion92 is coupled to the cover 86, e.g., by overmolding the flexible portionto the lower side of the cover 86. The flexible portion 92 includes acentral panel portion 94 configured to be located in the centraldispensing aperture 89. The central panel portion 94 defines a centralholding aperture 96 through which contents of the container 20 may bepulled and configured to hold one of the contents of the container 20,e.g., a wipe, etc., for ease of grabbing and removal of the wipe by auser. The flexible portion 92 also includes a connecting portion 98. Theconnecting portion 98 is configured to extend between an outer portionof a button 100 of the cover 86 and the outer portion of the cover 86.The connection portion 98 allows the outer periphery of the button 100to flex and or deflect downwardly when pressed by a user. The innerperiphery of the button 100 includes a latching projection 102configured to interact with a projection 104 of a lid 106. The lid 106is configured to be pivotally coupled to the cover 86 to cover and/orseal the central dispensing aperture 89. When the outer periphery of thebutton 100 is flexed or deflected downwardly, the latching projection102 is disengaged from the projection 104. The lid 106 includes a livinghinge 108 biasing the lid 106 to an open configuration relative to thecover 86. Therefore, when the latching projection 102 is disengaged fromthe projection 104, the lid 106 transitions to an open configuration, asillustrated in FIG. 14. In one embodiment, the lid 106 includes adownwardly extending sealing wall 110. The sealing wall 110 isconfigured to seal with the central panel portion 94 around the aperture89 to prevent entry of contaminants into the lower portion 22 of thecontainer 20 and to prevent moisture, e.g., from moistened contents ofthe container such as wet wipes, from escaping from the lower portion 22of the container 20.

With reference to FIGS. 15 and 16, in one embodiment, the lowerperipheral edges of the third side 40 and the fourth side 42 are archedbetween the corner portions 46 and 48 and the corner portions 44 and 50respectively. In one embodiment, this shape may tend to transfer forcefrom containers stacked in the container 20 on the sidewall 26 to thecorner portions 44, 46, 48, and 50 and deter outward deformation of thesidewall 26.

With reference to FIG. 15, the corner portion 50 extends betweenjunction 78 and junction 112. The junctions 78 and 112 extend toward oneanother in a direction away from the end wall 32. The junctions 78 and112 are separated by a maximum distance D1 proximate the end wall 32 andare separated by a smaller distance D2 proximate the first end 28 of thesidewall 26. In one embodiment, the other corner portions 44, 46, and 48have a similar shape and configuration as corner portion 50. In oneembodiment, the shape of the corner portions 44, 46, 48, and 50 providesfor the container 20 to be stacked with other containers 20′ and 20″, asshown in FIG. 11, and to have gaps 84 between the sidewalls 26 and 26″when the containers 20, 20′, and 20″ are at rest in the stackedconfiguration. In one embodiment, these gaps 84 allow for easy removalof the container 20′ from the container 20 out of the stackedconfiguration to an unstacked configuration.

With further reference to FIG. 15, in one embodiment, the outer surfaceof the corner portion 50 of the sidewall 26 is continuously curved andextends from the junction 78 to the junction 112. The distance aroundthe corner portion 50 from the junction 78 to the junction 112 proximatethe end wall 32 is greater than the distance around the corner portion50 from the junction 78 to the junction 112 proximate the first end 28of the sidewall 26. In one embodiment, the other corner portions 44, 46,and 48 have a similar shape and configuration as corner portion 50. Inone embodiment, the shape of the corner portions 44, 46, 48, and 50provides for the container 20 to be stacked with other containers 20′and 20″, as shown in FIG. 11, and to have gaps 84 between the sidewalls26 and 26″ when the containers 20, 20′, and 20″ are at rest in thestacked configuration. In one embodiment, with reference to FIG. 7, thecontinuously curved corner portions 44, 46, 48, and 50 continuouslycurve over a length L1 (L1 only shown in FIG. 7 with regard to cornerportion 50). In one embodiment, the length L1 is at least ½″. In anotherembodiment, the length L1 is at least ¾″. In another embodiment, thelength L1 is at least 1″. In one embodiment, the other corner portions44, 46, and 48 also each extend the same length L1 as corner portion 50.In one embodiment, the corner portions 44, 46, 48, and 50 are protrudentcorners.

With reference to FIGS. 17-19, another embodiment of a container 200 isillustrated. The container 200 includes an end wall 202. The end wall202 is generally longer in a first direction D3 than in a seconddirection D4 generally perpendicular to the first direction D3. The endwall 202 an upwardly arching depression portion 204 extending generallyin the first direction D3. In one embodiment, the arching depressionportion 204 may provide strengthening of the end wall. In anotherembodiment, the portion 204 may receive and/or mate with and/or matchthe lid of a similar container stacked on the container 200 in a closedconfiguration, e.g., when the containers are filled, closed, andstacked, e.g., on a shelf, in a retail setting, etc.

With reference to FIGS. 17, 20, and 20A, an embodiment of a cornerportion 201 of the end wall 202 is described, with the other cornerportions being shaped and/or configured and/or dimensioned substantiallysimilar. In one embodiment, the outer periphery of the corner portion201 forms the surface of a sphere (shown as a circle in FIGS. 20 and20A). The sphere has a diameter C. The outer periphery of the sphere isa distance A from a line intersecting the points at which sides of thesidewall 204 are at their inner minimum. The diameter C is a distance Bgreater than the distance A. In one embodiment, distance A is greaterthan or equal to 15% of distance C. This configuration may allow foreasy removal of one container from another substantially similarcontainer from a stacked configuration to an unstacked configuration.

In another embodiment, the outer periphery of the corner portions of acontainer have various other shapes, e.g., squared off, angular,non-continuously curved, etc. The innermost portions of the sidewall ofthe container on either side of the corners are set in relative to theportions of the sidewall extending away from the innermost portions toallow for ease of removal of one container from a another from a stackedconfiguration to an unstacked configuration.

In one embodiment, corner portions of the container 20 may be shapedand/or configured and/or dimensioned substantially similar to cornerportion 201.

Embodiments of containers 20 may be formed from suitable plastics, e.g.,polypropylene, polyethylene terephalate, thermoplastics, thermosettingplastics, polyvinyl chloride, or any other suitable type of plastic. Inother embodiments, containers 20 may be formed from other suitablematerials.

It should be understood that the figures illustrate the exemplaryembodiments in detail, and it should be understood that the presentapplication is not limited to the details or methodology set forth inthe description or illustrated in the figures. It should also beunderstood that the terminology is for the purpose of description onlyand should not be regarded as limiting.

Further modifications and alternative embodiments of various aspects ofthe invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art in view ofthis description. Accordingly, this description is to be construed asillustrative only. The construction and arrangements, shown in thevarious exemplary embodiments, are illustrative only. Although only afew embodiments have been described in detail in this disclosure, manymodifications are possible (e.g., variations in sizes, dimensions,structures, shapes and proportions of the various elements, values ofparameters, mounting arrangements, use of materials, colors,orientations, etc.) without materially departing from the novelteachings and advantages of the subject matter described herein. Someelements shown as integrally formed may be constructed of multiple partsor elements, the position of elements may be reversed or otherwisevaried, and the nature or number of discrete elements or positions maybe altered or varied. The order or sequence of any process, logicalalgorithm, or method steps may be varied or re-sequenced according toalternative embodiments. Other substitutions, modifications, changes andomissions may also be made in the design, operating conditions andarrangement of the various exemplary embodiments without departing fromthe scope of the present invention.

For purposes of this disclosure, the term “coupled” means the joining oftwo components directly or indirectly to one another. Such joining maybe stationary in nature or movable in nature. Such joining may beachieved with the two members and any additional intermediate membersbeing integrally formed as a single unitary body with one another orwith the two members or the two members and any additional member beingattached to one another. Such joining may be permanent in nature oralternatively may be removable or releasable in nature.

In various exemplary embodiments, the relative dimensions, includingangles, lengths and radii, as shown in the Figures are to scale. Actualmeasurements of the Figures will disclose relative dimensions, anglesand proportions of the various exemplary embodiments. Various exemplaryembodiments extend to various ranges around the absolute and relativedimensions, angles and proportions that may be determined from theFigures. Various exemplary embodiments include any combination of one ormore relative dimensions or angles that may be determined from theFigures. Further, actual dimensions not expressly set out in thisdescription can be determined by using the ratios of dimensions measuredin the Figures in combination with the express dimensions set out inthis description.

1. A container comprising: a lower portion including a sidewallextending from a first end to a second end and an end wall closing thesecond end of the sidewall, the sidewall including first and secondsides spaced apart and each extending between third and fourth sides, afirst corner portion located between the first and fourth sides, thefirst corner portion extending from a first junction formed between thefirst side and the first corner portion to a second junction formedbetween the fourth side and the first corner portion, wherein the firstjunction and the second junction are separated by a first distanceproximate the end wall, wherein the first junction and the secondjunction are separated by a second distance proximate the first end ofthe sidewall, and wherein the first distance is greater than the seconddistance, the first side curving outwardly from the first junction, thefirst corner portion curving outwardly from the first junction, thefirst junction extending non-parallel to a central vertical axis of thesidewall; and an upper portion pivotally coupled to the lower portion,the upper portion including a cover defining a dispensing aperture and alid pivotally coupled to the cover configured to close the dispensingaperture when the lid is in a closed configuration relative to thecover.
 2. The container of claim 1, wherein the fourth side curvesoutwardly from the second junction, wherein the first corner portioncurves outwardly from the second junction, and wherein the secondjunction extends non-parallel to the central vertical axis of thesidewall.
 3. The container of claim 1, wherein the first corner iscontinuously curved between the first junction and the second junction.4. (canceled)
 5. The container of claim 1, comprising a second cornerportion continuously curved between the first side and the second side,a third corner portion continuously curved between the second side andthe third side, and a fourth corner portion continuously curved betweenthe third side and the fourth side.
 6. The container of claim 5,comprising first, second, third, and fourth ribs each extending inwardlyfrom one of the corner portions.
 7. The container of claim 6, comprisinga fifth rib extending inwardly from the first side between the first andsecond ribs, and a sixth rib extending inwardly from the second sidebetween the third and fourth ribs.
 8. The container of claim 6, whereineach of the ribs includes a lower portion and an upper portion extendingfrom the lower portion, the upper portion having an inner peripheraledge including a concave portion, the ribs being configured to supportstacking of another container thereon.
 9. The container of claim 1,wherein the lower peripheries of each of the third and fourth sides ofthe sidewall each include an arched portion.
 10. A stack of containerscomprising: a first container, including a lower portion and an upperportion pivotally coupled to the lower portion, the lower portionincluding a sidewall extending from an upper periphery to a second endand an end wall closing the second end of the sidewall, the sidewallincluding first, second, third, and fourth corner portions, the firstcontainer including a first rib extending inwardly from the first cornerportion, a second rib extending inwardly from the second corner portion,a third rib extending inwardly from the third corner portion, and afourth rib extending inwardly from the fourth corner; and a secondcontainer including a lower portion and an upper portion pivotallycoupled to the lower portion, the lower portion including a sidewallextending from a first end to a second end and an end wall closing thesecond end of the sidewall, the end wall of the second container beingsupported by the ribs of the first container; wherein the sidewall ofthe first container and the sidewall of the second container define agap therebetween between the first and second corner portions at theupper periphery of the sidewall of the first container.
 11. The stack ofcontainers of claim 10, wherein the sidewall of the first containerincludes first and second sides spaced apart and each extending betweenthird and fourth sides, a first corner portion located between the firstand fourth sides, the first corner portion extending from a firstjunction to a second junction, the first side curving outwardly from thefirst junction, the first corner portion curving outwardly from thefirst junction, the first junction extending non-parallel to a centralvertical axis of the sidewall.
 12. The stack of containers of claim 11,wherein the sidewall of the second container includes first and secondsides spaced apart and each extending between the third and fourthsides, a first corner portion located between the first and fourthsides, the first corner portion extending from a first junction to asecond junction, the first side curving outwardly from the firstjunction, the first corner portion curving outwardly from the firstjunction, the first junction extending non-parallel to a centralvertical axis of the sidewall.
 13. The stack of containers of claim 12,wherein the gap is located at the first junction of the first containerat the upper periphery of the sidewall, the gap configured to allow airto pass between the sidewall of the first container and the sidewall ofthe second container to the end wall of the first container.
 14. Thestack of containers of claim 13, wherein the sidewall of the firstcontainer includes a second corner portion extending from a thirdjunction to a fourth junction, the first side curving outwardly from thethird junction, the second corner portion curving outwardly from thethird junction, the third junction extending non-parallel to the centralvertical axis of the sidewall.
 15. The stack of containers of claim 14,wherein the sidewall of the second container includes a second cornerportion extending from a third junction to a fourth junction, the firstside curving outwardly from the third junction, the second cornerportion curving outwardly from the third junction, the third junctionextending non-parallel to the central vertical axis of the sidewall. 16.The stack of containers of claim 15, wherein a second gap is located atthe third junction of the first container at the upper periphery of thesidewall, the gap configured to allow air to pass between the sidewallof the first container and the sidewall of the second container to theend wall of the first container.
 17. The stack of containers of claim15, wherein the eight gaps are defined between the sidewall of the firstcontainer and the sidewall of the second container at the upperperiphery of the sidewall of the first container, with one of the gapsbeing located on each side of each of the corner portions.
 18. Acontainer comprising: a lower portion including a sidewall extendingfrom a first end to a second end and an end wall closing the second endof the sidewall, the lower portion including a plurality of ribs eachextending inwardly from the sidewall, the ribs each including a lowerportion and an upper portion, the upper portion having an innerperipheral edge including a concave portion extending away from thelower portion; and an upper portion pivotally coupled to the lowerportion, the upper portion including a cover portion defining a centralaperture and a lid pivotally coupled to the cover portion.
 19. Thecontainer of claim 18, wherein the inner peripheral edge of the upperportion of each of the ribs includes a convex portion extending upwardlyfrom the concave portion.
 20. The container of claim 18, wherein thesidewall includes four corner portions with one of the plurality of ribsextending inwardly from each of the corner portions.
 21. The stack ofcontainers of claim 10, wherein the sidewall defines a first sidebetween the first and second corner portions, a second side between thesecond and third corner portions, a third side between the third andfourth corner portions, and a fourth side between the fourth and firstcorner portions, wherein each corner portion forms a first junction withone adjacent side of the sidewall and a second junction with anotheradjacent side of the corner portion, wherein the first and secondjunctions of each corner portion are separated by a first distanceproximate the end wall, wherein the first and second junctions of eachcorner portion are separated by a second distance proximate the firstend of the sidewall, and wherein the first distance is greater than thesecond distance.
 22. The container of claim 18, wherein the sidewallincludes first, second, third, and fourth corner portions, wherein thesidewall defines a first side between the first and second cornerportions, a second side between the second and third corner portions, athird side between the third and fourth corner portions, and a fourthside between the fourth and first corner portions, wherein each cornerportion forms a first junction with one adjacent side of the sidewalland a second junction with another adjacent side of the corner portion,wherein the first and second junctions of each corner portion areseparated by a first distance proximate the end wall, wherein the firstand second junctions of each corner portion are separated by a seconddistance proximate the first end of the sidewall, and wherein the firstdistance is greater than the second distance.